Finance Lead

Universal Matter is looking for a Finance Lead to lead reporting, cost accounting, and ERP implementation at our Redcar operation. At Universal Matter, we are redefining what’s possible in materials science. As global leaders in graphene and advanced carbon materials, we’re driving sustainable innovation across construction, polymer composites, rubber & tires, and coatings — enabling industry transformation worldwide.

This is a mid-to-senior level leadership role for a hands-on finance professional who thrives at the intersection of financial control, manufacturing cost accounting, and business systems transformation.

The Role

The Finance Lead will be responsible for end-to-end financial management of the UK entity, driving robust reporting, planning, and cost control while leading the implementation and optimisation of modern financial systems. This role offers the opportunity to build processes and structure from the ground up, influence strategic decision-making, and grow a finance team as the business expands.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and lead the full month-end close, producing accurate and timely financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) for group consolidation.
• Maintain the general ledger and ensure compliance with GAAP / IFRS accounting standards.
• Design and implement accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to formalise financial operations and safeguard company assets.
• Build and manage budgets, forecasts, and cash flow models aligned with the company’s growth strategy.
• Deliver insightful financial analysis and commercial insight to support senior leadership decision-making.
• Oversee plant financials, including cost accounting, inventory valuation, and margin analysis.
• Apply strong technical expertise in COGS, process costing, overhead allocation, and WIP tracking to ensure accurate margin reporting.
• Identify and drive cost optimisation opportunities across manufacturing and supply chain operations.
• Lead or support the end-to-end ERP implementation lifecycle for Microsoft Dynamics.
• Define and manage ERP integrations with finance and third-party systems.
• Drive system optimisation, reporting enhancements, and user adoption to institutionalise scalable finance processes.
• Lead the UK finance function, with responsibility to build and develop a finance team covering AP, AR, payroll, treasury, and related areas.
• Act as the key interface between finance, production, and commercial teams.
• Manage working capital, credit control, and payment cycles to optimise liquidity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related discipline.
• Professional qualification CIMA, ACCA, or ACA strongly preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years’ progressive accounting experience, ideally within a manufacturing SME environment.

Technical Expertise

• Deep, demonstrable experience in manufacturing cost accounting (COGS, process costing, inventory valuation, WIP).
• Proven experience leading or supporting ERP implementations or migrations.
• Advanced Excel skills for financial modelling; SQL & data integration experience highly advantageous.

Personal Attributes

• Highly analytical, detail-oriented, with strong strategic thinking capability.
• Excellent communication skills and commercial acumen to influence senior stakeholders.
• Hands-on leader comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Why Join Universal Matter?

• Be part of a high-growth, purpose-driven manufacturing business.
• Lead meaningful systems and finance transformation.
• Build and shape a finance function with real strategic impact.
• Work closely with ownership and senior leadership.

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Accounting/Auditing, Finance, and Information Technology

Industries: Chemical Manufacturing